MLB News

Near highlight grab turns into odd out in DC

By
Kyle MelnickMLB.com

WASHINGTON -- In a bizarre sequence in Game 1 of the Braves-Nationals doubleheader on Tuesday afternoon -- a game won by the Nats, 8-3 -- Juan Soto hit a ball off the center-field wall at Nationals Park before being ruled out for passing Trea Turner on the basepaths.

Soto's knock in the third inning hit the wall just as center fielder Ender Inciarte arrived. Inciarte bobbled the catch, but the ball ricocheted to Adam Duvall, who snagged it after running over from left field. Turner, meanwhile, believing it was an out, sprinted back to first, with Soto passing Turner as he rounded first base.

WASHINGTON -- In a bizarre sequence in Game 1 of the Braves-Nationals doubleheader on Tuesday afternoon -- a game won by the Nats, 8-3 -- Juan Soto hit a ball off the center-field wall at Nationals Park before being ruled out for passing Trea Turner on the basepaths.

Soto's knock in the third inning hit the wall just as center fielder Ender Inciarte arrived. Inciarte bobbled the catch, but the ball ricocheted to Adam Duvall, who snagged it after running over from left field. Turner, meanwhile, believing it was an out, sprinted back to first, with Soto passing Turner as he rounded first base.

When the play ended, the umpires huddled on the field and spoke with both teams' managers. After about a 2-minute discussion, the umpires ruled that Soto had recorded a single but was out for passing Turner on the basepaths. Turner was returned to first base, and Washington didn't score in the inning.

Nationals manager Dave Martinez said the team considered challenging the call that Soto had passed Turner. Martinez said third-base umpire Vic Carapazza called Soto's knock a hit from the start.

"The only thing I could've done was to find the umpire making the call and react to his call, which isn't really possible and/or the right thing to do," Turner said. "I just wanted to keep my eyes on the ball. I saw him tip it to the other guy and catch it, so in my eyes, [I should] run back. It's kind of the safe play, I guess.

"It stinks because that could've potentially been a really big play in the game. But it worked out, so move on from it."